HOW TO MIX METALS


It’s the age old debate - let’s settle it once and for all.

Silver and gold are the most common metals in jewellery making, and most wearers are partial to one or the other. Over time and trend, we’ve seen silver take the throne, flipping to gold and back as the years go by. For the diplomats out there, here’s how to mix metals.

There really are no rules to wearing silver with gold and gold with silver, but here's how to start your journey as a jewellery mixmaster.

 


COLOUR ME HAPPY

Gold casts a yellow hue across all skin tones, while silver offsets that warmness and adds a more distinct dimension to your look. When pairing the two, pay attention to the undertones of the rest of your outfit to make a cohesive kit. Over a white tee, add some colour with a couple of gold chains. Beside jeans, try silver to complement the blue tones you’ve got going on. For more on colour, check out our take here.

BALANCE IT OUT
More is more, but directly stacking different metal tones next to each other can be daunting. If you’re a mixed metals newcomer, start small by separating your metals with a gold chain and silver rings, or a silver cuff and gold earrings. As time goes by, you might find yourself adding gold silver chains and gold cuffs, but the way you mix is at your discretion.

 


STACK IT UP
Experimenting with proportion means you can still show a little extra love to one colour over another, but it also makes for a more unique collection. Try a chunkier gold ring beside a minimal silver style, or a thin gold chain with a silver pendant. There’s no limit to the stacks you can create, if you’re game.

STATUS SYMBOL
Each part of our body holds symbolism when it comes to accessorising, and playing with colours, mixes, metals and textures is another way to lean into meaning. Read our piece on jewellery associations here.

So, when you’re torn between the two, there’s no harm in both.

If you enjoyed this read, check out our Lowdown on Pendants and Chains.

Start mixing with our top picks: